Fracking sand container with double discharge

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a fracking sand container having a main container having an internal cavity, said container is formed up of two sections, an upper section and two truncated pyramidal sections, a rectangular tubular frame profiles and internal reinforcements of L-profiles of equal legs supporting said container, including plus 4 channel profiles for lifting, and a structure formed by L-angles, wherein a hopper is also supported to ensure greater rigidity, two discharge openings on an underside of each of said two truncated pyramidal sections, gates positioned in said cavity, and a handwheel operatively associated with said gates, said handwheel constructed and arranged to impart improved mechanical advantage and move said gates horizontally.

INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of and claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/053,190 filed Jul. 17, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference and its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fracking sand containers are widely used. As with most heavy equipment, there is a constant need to provide equipment that is both functional and safe. One safety issue with fracking sand containers is the danger of the containers overturning in transport. There is a difficulty in configuring a container that is fully functional yet addresses the safety need.

The present invention accomplishes this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is a fracking sand container comprising:

a fracking sand container comprising: a main container having an internal cavity, said container is formed up of two sections, an upper section and two truncated pyramidal sections; a rectangular tubular frame profiles and internal reinforcements of L-profiles of equal legs supporting said container, including plus 4 channel profiles for lifting, and a structure formed by L-angles, wherein a hopper is also supported to ensure greater rigidity; two discharge openings on an underside of each of said two truncated pyramidal sections; gates positioned in said cavity; and a handwheel operatively associated with said gates, said handwheel constructed and arranged to impart improved mechanical advantage and move said gates horizontally.

In one embodiment, the upper section and two truncated pyramidal sections are connected.

In one embodiment, the upper section and two truncated pyramidal sections are unitary.

In one embodiment, the dimensions based on overall outer dimensions the ratio of length:width:height is 1:0.5-0.8:0.4-0.6.

In one embodiment, the dimensions based on overall outer dimensions the ratio of length:width:height is 1:0.667:0.5.

In one embodiment, the said two truncated pyramidal sections are configured with front and side angular configurations relative to a perpendicular to a planar base of the discharge portions having said front side angle of inclination 90-95% of angle measure in relation to angle measure of side bands of said truncated pyramidal sections.

In one embodiment, the said two truncated pyramidal sections are configured with a base having a ratio of width:length being 1:1.2-1.4.

In one embodiment, the said two truncated pyramidal sections are configured with a base having a ratio of width:length being 1.30-1.35.

In one embodiment, the said two truncated pyramidal sections are configured with a discharge openings having a ratio of width:length being 1:2.80-3.0.

In one embodiment, the said two truncated pyramidal sections are configured with a discharge openings having a ratio of width:length being 1:2.90-2.95.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a fracking sand container consisting of:

a fracking sand container comprising: a main container having an internal cavity, said container is formed up of two sections, an upper section and two truncated pyramidal sections; a rectangular tubular frame profiles and internal reinforcements of L-profiles of equal legs supporting said container, including plus 4 channel profiles for lifting, and a structure formed by L-angles, wherein a hopper is also supported to ensure greater rigidity; two discharge openings on an underside of each of said two truncated pyramidal sections; gates positioned in said cavity; and a handwheel operatively associated with said gates, said handwheel constructed and arranged to impart improved mechanical advantage and move said gates horizontally; said two truncated pyramidal sections are configured with a base having a ratio of width:length being 1.30-1.35; said two truncated pyramidal sections are configured with a discharge openings having a ratio of width:length being 1:2.90-2.95; and dimensions of said fracking sand container based on overall outer dimensions the ratio of length:width:height is 1:0.667:0.5

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a front view according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1C is a top view according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an end view according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a cover according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the discharge system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the discharge system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a graphic demonstrating processing.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing dimensions according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is detail of the driving screw according to one embodiment of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As understood by the figures and described herein, the present invention provides a novel and improved hydraulic fracturing sand container.

In FIG. 1A, being a Sideview of the double discharge system 10 of the present invention, upper box 12 is constructed and arranged in substantially a rectangular solid configuration having a cavity formed on its interior. Upper box 17 is integral with lower box portions 14 each angled to direct components to discharge area 16. As generally understood, and shown in FIG. 1B, a guillotine structure 32 is constructed and arranged to slidably open sand discharge area 16 and gravity will provide discharge for sand or other components housed in either or both of upper box 12 and lower box 14. Guillotine structure 32 is operatively associated with discharge mechanism 18. In one body meant, discharge mechanism 18 is a manually operated discharge mechanism. In another embodiment, discharge mechanism 18 is constructed and arranged with an electrical motor and Control activator 20 that opens and closes send discharge area 16 as desired.

According to one in bottom of the president veteran, and a demonstration it in FIG. 2, the Sand fracking and transport system 10 is supported by a frame having a plurality of L-shaped frame supports 24 and I-beam supports 26 as demonstrated in the figure.

In use, Cover 19 is removed and sound or other material to be discharged is placed in upper box 12. Upper box 12 is unitary with lower box 14. Gravity will cause sand or other component to urge download onto sand discharge area 16. When discharge mechanism 18 is actuated, sand will flow out of sand fracking system 10 by means of gravity.

As demonstrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, when discharge mechanism 18 is actuated the guillotine structure 32 underneath sound discharge area 16 will provide openings through which sounds will travel out of system 10 by means of gravity.

In one embodiment, the present invention is configured in which the height H, as shown in the front view of FIG. 1, of the overall container is 6 feet. This is a lower height than those used in current fracturing sand container. The present invention configured with the premise that the lower height will lower the center of gravity which reduces the risk of accidents due to overturning during transportation.

One improvement provides the lower height while maintaining the same volumetric capacity of loading the interior cavity for which the length of the container is increased and two discharges are arranged for the same unit which affects the decrease of the download time.

In one embodiment, the system is configured in a unique ratio not currently found or used. Dimension C is the length, dimension A is the width and dimension G is the overall height. This ratio being based on overall outer dimensions length:width:height which is designated in FIG. 7B by dimensions C:A:G of 1:0.5-0.8:0.4-0.6.

In a preferred embodiment, the ratio is 1:0.667:0.5.

This unique ratio imparts improved stability not seen in any other unit either in use or disclosed anywhere.

In one embodiment, the hydraulic fracturing sand container of the present invention has a capacity of 44 thousand pounds of sand type of 40/70 with a bulk density of 1.33 g/cm³ occupying a useful volume of 12.75 m³.

As will be set forth now, there are significant ratios utilized in the configuration of the present invention. These ratios were discovered through very significant development and are not merely the result of simple substitution. The ratios disclosed and claimed are critical to providing a device that is a significant improvement over all known existing devices in the field. In one embodiment, the volumetric structure of the container is made up of two sections, an upper section, designated by dimension B, the height of only the upper box 12. In one embodiment, dimension B is 1 m. The length being dimension C, in one embodiment is 3.658 m, The width being dimension A in one embodiment is 2.438 m. The device has two truncated pyramidal sections 14 each having a base with width R and length S and a discharge dimension of length X and width T. In one embodiment, the ratio of R:S is between 1:1.2-1.4. In one embodiment, the ratio is 1:1.30-1.35. In one embodiment, R is 1.829 m and S is 2.43 m. The discharge openings 16 have width defined by dimension T and length defined by dimension X. In one embodiment, the ratio of T:X is between 1:2.80-3.0. In one embodiment, the ratio is 1:2.90-2.95.

In one embodiment, T is 0.284 m and X is 0.832 m long.

The structure is formed by rectangular tubular profiles and internal reinforcements of L-profiles of equal legs, plus 4 channel profiles for lifting and a structure formed by L-angles where the hopper is also supported to ensure greater rigidity. The whole structure is welded.

The structure is covered with 4 mm sheets and welded around the perimeter; welding must be done once the welded structure is made.

Typically, sand fracking systems utilize congruent angles in the front and side angular configurations of the discharge portions. The present invention has discovered that by making the front side angle of inclination 90-95% of the angle on the side bands, the discharge efficiency is improved. In one embodiment, the angles of inclination of the walls of the truncated pyramids are 38° on the front side, designated by dimension F and 40°, designated by dimension E on the side bands, the material of the walls is made up of sheets of carbon steel 30 of 4 mm thick and the reinforcements of the same material but with laminates type C and L as detailed in FIG. 3, at the bottom of the hoppers a structure is welded through which the unloading mechanism is assembled. The joints of the structural elements are made by electric welding whose characteristics are indicated in the assembly drawings. Special attention should be paid to the welding process, ensuring that the bead of the welding remain homogeneous, without plugs, pores, or cracks, it is recommended that once the welding is finished, it is subjected to an X-ray or ultrasound control and penetrating liquids.

The hopper has a lid which has a rubber gasket and it is attached to a frame that is welded in the hopper by 3 hinges.

The present invention is constructed as being particularly suited for guillotine type downloads.

The discharges of the container are determined by the positions of the guillotines in both pyramidal sections. The guillotines 32 are driven by power screws 18 that move outward and inward, bringing with them the guillotine sheets that seal the exits. The displacement of the screws is carried out by the bronze nuts that are added to the handwheels. These handwheels are synchronized by the screw-nut link and the cogwheels arranged in the drive shaft that connect both heads, so that the guillotines move in reverse to open and close the discharges. The operation of the guillotines can be carried out by both heads manually through the handwheel or a pneumatic torque wrench can be connected to the hexagonal end segments of the drive shaft, to humanize the operation of closing and opening the discharge FIG. 5. This mechanism allows a user/operator to place the hopper on the discharge mat in any position.

The discharge by means of the handwheel the closing and opening operation is carried out according to what you want to do: opening turn to the right and close turn to the left; in the same way, but by using a hexagonal pneumatic torque wrench, it will be turned in the opposite direction to achieve the same effect.

As said above in previous paragraphs, the total volume is divided into two parts, a prism-shaped part with a rectangular base and two parts in the form of inverted truncated pyramids.

The gates, while the container is full, receive the weight of the vertical column of sand along its entire height (1.829 m) with a cross section of (0.284 m×0.414 m)

This represents with a density of 8 kN/m³, a vertical load of: 984.1 Kgf; If we consider a coefficient of friction sand-steel of 0.1 then a force of 393.1 kgf will be necessary to move the gate horizontally.

The force determined in the manner described, represents the axial load that falls on the screw and nut, using a trapezoidal thread screw Tr 30×6 mm of steel AISI 1035 and phosphor bronze nut, the fundamental parameters of the metric thread are determined and the torque needed to apply to open the valve with the container full.

TABLE 1 Trapezoidal Thread Profile DIN 103-from FIG. 8 D₁ × d − 2 H₁ = d − P D = d + 2a_(c) H₁ = 0.5 P d_(c) = d − 2h₃ H₄ = H₁ + a_(c) ⁼ 0.5P + a_(c) d₂ = D₂ = d − 2z − d − 0.5P h₃ = H1 + a_(c) = 0.5P + a_(c) R₁ = max 0.5 a_(c)z = 0.25P = H₁/2 R₁= max a_(c) P 1.5 2 < 5 6 < 12 14 < 20 a_(c) 0.15 0.25 0.5 1 SCREW h₃: = 0.5 · p + a_(c) = 0.004 m Fillet height d_(r): = d − 2 · h₃ = 0.023 m Screw root diameter R₁: = 0.5 · a_(c) = 0.25 mm Edge rounding d_(m): = d_(r) + 2 · h₃/2 = 0.027 m Average diameter of Screw thread NUT D: d + 2 · a_(c) D = 0.031 m H₄: = 0.5 p + a_(c) = 0.004 m Fillet height D₁: = D − 2 · H₄ = 0.024 m

TABLE 2 Metric trapezoidal thread and thread specifications from FIGS. 9 and 10  P: pitch  d: Larger diameter d_(i): Minor Diameter  d_(m): Medium Diameter β: Feed Angle  φ: helice angle  F: Axial Compression Force T_(a): Torque required to raise  T_(b): Torque required to lower α = 15 deg  Tooth profile angle λ = atan (p/η · dm) = 4,122 deg Thread elevation angle TORQUE ON NUT μ: = 0.18 Thread-nut friction coefficient (bronze-steel) Moment of Torque $T:={{{F \cdot \frac{d_{m}}{2}}\frac{\left( {{\tan(\lambda)} + \frac{\mu}{\cos(\alpha)}} \right)}{1 - \left( {\mu \cdot \frac{\tan(\lambda)}{\cos(\alpha)}} \right)}} = {4.834\mspace{14mu} J}}$ D_(v) = 320 mm Handwheel diameter f = T/D_(v) = 15.107 N Tangential force to be exerted on the handwheel.

This result is achieved by using a forklift with sufficient capacity to lift and move the full container to the desired place, it has the receptacles for the forks located at the bottom and close to the discharges on both sides with four forks for two sides for full container two for empty container are arranged on each side.

The container to provide a good service during its useful life, requires adequate care such as maintenance with painting and lubrication operations in the elements that require it, mainly in those that are directly exposed to contact with the sand.

In one embodiment, anticorrosive paint as a base and finishing paint, for all structural elements.

As needed, Solid grease lubrication for screw-nut, drive shaft bearings and application under pressure through the collar are utilized.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A fracking sand container comprising: a main container having an internal cavity, said container is formed up of two sections, an upper section and two truncated pyramidal sections; a rectangular tubular frame profiles and internal reinforcements of L-profiles of equal legs supporting said container, including plus 4 channel profiles for lifting, and a structure formed by L-angles, wherein a hopper is also supported to ensure greater rigidity; two discharge openings on an underside of each of said said two truncated pyramidal sections; gates positioned in said cavity; and a handwheel operatively associated with said gates, said handwheel constructed and arranged to impart improved mechanical advantage and move said gates horizontally.
 2. The sand fracking container of claim 1 wherein said upper section and two truncated pyramidal sections are connected.
 3. The sand fracking container of claim 1 wherein said upper section and two truncated pyramidal sections are unitary.
 4. The sand fracking container of claim 1 wherein based on overall outer dimensions the ratio of length:width:height is 1:0.5-0.8:0.4-0.6.
 5. The sand fracking container of claim 1 wherein based on overall outer dimensions the ratio of length:width:height is 1:0.667:0.5.
 6. The sand fracking container of claim 1 wherein said two truncated pyramidal sections are configured with front and side angular configurations relative to a perpendicular to a planar base of the discharge portions having said front side angle of inclination 90-95% of angle measure in relation to angle measure of side bands of said truncated pyramidal sections.
 7. The sand fracking container of claim 1 wherein said two truncated pyramidal sections are configured with a base having a ratio of width:length being 1:1.2-1.4.
 8. The sand fracking container of claim 1 wherein said two truncated pyramidal sections are configured with a base having a ratio of width:length being 1.30-1.35.
 9. The sand fracking container of claim 1 wherein said two truncated pyramidal sections are configured with a discharge openings having a ratio of width:length being 1:2.80-3.0.
 10. The sand fracking container of claim 1 wherein said two truncated pyramidal sections are configured with a discharge openings having a ratio of width:length being 1:2.90-2.95. 